10 South-of-the-Border Cars You Can't Buy in the USA

Peugeots, Seats, and Alfa Romeos are on sale in Mexico. General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, and Mitsubishi all sell global models south of the border that aren't for sale in the U.S. But don't just head down to Tijuana planning to buy a Renault and drive it back to the States: The U.S. requires certain emissions and structure standards before allowing them to permanently reside here. (Note: Since the value of the peso fluctuates, the price of these cars, given in dollars, is an estimate.)

Alfa Romeo 159

Alfa Romeo 159

The Giugiaro-designed V-6-powered 159 replaced Alfa's 156 way back in 2006, and for $44,500 comes with all-wheel-drive planting its 3.2-liter's power to the road through a six-speed automatic. The sleek 260-hp Alfa is a couple inches shorter than Audi's similarly powerful four-cylinder turbo A4, yet the Italian sedan is about $9000 more expensive.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta Quadrifoglio

Alfa Romeo Giulietta Quadrifoglio

Underneath the shapely body of the Giulietta, introduced at the Geneva motor show in 2010, is the 2013 Dodge Dart. Parent company Fiat adapted the guts of this Alfa to create the base of the revitalized Dodge. We found the Dart to be a sprightly performer with its 1.4-liter 160-hp turbocharged four-cylinder and quick-shifting twin-clutch six-speed. The shapely Alfa comes powered by a 1.7-liter turbo that churns out a much more thrilling 230 hp. But at about $36,000, it's $14,000 more than the most expensive Dart, the R/T.